Hong Kong · Citizenship
Nationality and Naturalization in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has no citizenship of its own. Since 1 July 1997 the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China has applied there, and the Immigration Department handles naturalization requests from foreign nationals living in Hong Kong.
- Startup route
- Investment as Entrepreneurs (General Employment Policy)
- Minimum capital
- No fixed minimum; business plan and funding assessed
- Permanent residence
- 7 years of continuous ordinary residence
- Citizenship
- Discretionary naturalization as a Chinese national
Naturalisation as a Chinese National
Under Article 7 of the Nationality Law, foreign nationals or stateless persons willing to abide by China's constitution and laws may be naturalized if they are near relatives of Chinese nationals, have settled in China, or have other legitimate reasons. In Hong Kong, ImmD considers whether the applicant has a near relative who is a Chinese national with the right of abode, whether Hong Kong is the applicant's habitual residence, where the spouse and minor children live, income, tax compliance, character, Chinese language ability and the intention to keep living in Hong Kong. Article 8 states that an approved applicant shall not retain foreign nationality. No minimum residence period or processing time is published, decisions cannot be appealed, and no reasons need be given.
- Legal basis
- Nationality Law of the PRC, Articles 7 and 8
- Total fee
- HKD 3,460, paid in two stages of HKD 1,730
- First payment
- HKD 1,730 at application, non-refundable
- Residence period
- None published; habitual residence in Hong Kong is weighed
- Language
- Chinese language ability is a listed factor
- Dual nationality
- Not recognized for any Chinese national
- Appeals
- None; reasons need not be given
Requirements
- Be a foreign national or stateless person willing to abide by China's constitution and laws.
- Show a basis such as a near relative who is a Chinese national, settlement in China or another legitimate reason.
- Have Hong Kong as habitual residence and intend to continue living there.
- Have reasonable income, a tax record in order, good character and sound mind.
- Give up foreign nationality; the second fee is collected only after proof of this.
How to apply
- Read ImmD's applicant guide and complete the naturalization application form.
- Submit it in person, by post to the Nationality Sub-section or online, paying HKD 1,730.
- Attend the interview that ImmD arranges after acknowledging the application.
- If approved, renounce foreign nationality, pay the HKD 1,730 balance and receive the certificate of naturalization.
Dual nationality and foreign passports in Hong Kong
ImmD's nationality guidance states that the People's Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national. A person who has not renounced Chinese nationality is treated as a Chinese national in the Hong Kong SAR, even if that person also holds a foreign passport. Hong Kong residents who are Chinese citizens and want to be regarded as foreign nationals must apply to ImmD for a change of nationality. For a naturalizing founder, the practical result is that approval comes with an obligation to give up every other nationality before the certificate is issued.
Naturalization is therefore a different decision from permanent residency. A foreign founder with the right of abode keeps a foreign passport and can live and work in Hong Kong without restriction, while naturalization exchanges that passport for Chinese nationality. ImmD also warns that a certificate obtained through fraud, false representation or concealment of material facts may be cancelled. Applicants abroad can lodge an application through a Chinese diplomatic or consular mission, which adds non-refundable handling and forwarding charges.
No citizenship through investment
Hong Kong offers residence for investors but not nationality. The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme leads, at most, to permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence, and the Investment as Entrepreneurs route follows the same seven-year path. Neither scheme confers Chinese nationality, and the naturalization factors ImmD lists, such as family ties to Chinese nationals, Chinese language ability and habitual residence, do not include the size of an investment. Founders comparing passports across Asia should treat Hong Kong as a residence destination.
Questions and answers
What happens to a foreign passport after naturalization in Hong Kong?
It has to go. Article 8 of the Nationality Law says a person whose naturalization is approved shall not retain foreign nationality, and ImmD collects the second half of the fee only after proof that foreign nationality has ended. Once naturalized, the person keeps the right of abode in Hong Kong for as long as they remain a Chinese national.
Is there a minimum residence period for naturalization in Hong Kong?
ImmD does not publish one. Instead it weighs whether Hong Kong is the applicant's habitual residence, where the spouse and minor children live, income and tax records, character, Chinese language ability and the intention to stay, along with any near relatives who are Chinese nationals. Each application is decided individually and without appeal.
How are Hong Kong Chinese residents with foreign passports treated?
They are treated as Chinese nationals. ImmD's nationality FAQ states that unless a person has renounced Chinese nationality, that person is a Chinese national in the HKSAR, and holding a foreign passport does not alter this. Being regarded as a foreign national instead requires an approved application for change of nationality.
Can a refused naturalization application be challenged?
ImmD states that decisions on naturalization applications cannot be appealed and that no reasons need be given. The initial HKD 1,730 is non-refundable in all circumstances. Applicants who are refused can review the listed factors, such as residence, income and language ability, before considering whether to apply again.
Official sources
- Application for Naturalisation as a Chinese Nationalwww.immd.gov.hk
- General Information on Chinese Nationalitywww.immd.gov.hk
- Frequently Asked Questions about Chinese Nationalitywww.immd.gov.hk
- Fee Tableswww.immd.gov.hk
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Hong Kong.
Startup visa
GEP entrepreneur entry, judged on business plan, jobs and capital
02Temporary residence
36-month first stay, then extensions on a 3-year then 2-year pattern
03Permanent residence
Right of abode after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence
04Citizenship
Naturalization under the PRC Nationality Law; foreign nationality ends